Applying for McHenry County building and zoning permits is easier than ever

McHenry County launches online permitting portal

The new online portal makes it so residents and businesses in unincorporated McHenry County may apply for their permits from the comfort and convenience of their home or workplace both during and outside of the county’s normal business hours. Applicants may also pay for their permits through the portal by credit card or debit card.

You can access the online portal by clicking here.

Applicants without computers or internet access may use one of the two new permitting kiosks located in the Planning & Development office at the County Administration Building.

Economic development takes center stage in annual address

Chairman Buehler in his 34-minute address said that the county‘s progress in 2024 in growing the local economy “practically warrants an address all its own,” and he was right.

In his speech, he touted the hiring of Mark Piekos as the new executive director of the McHenry County Economic Development Corp., the opening of the new Foglia Center for Advanced Technology at McHenry College, MCC’s new University Center and Catalyst Campus, the resurrection of the EDGE Group, the Manufacturing Pathways Consortium’s summer internship program, and more.

You can watch the address by visiting the county‘s main page at www.mchenrycountyil.gov, or by visiting county government’s YouTube page.

Applications open for state small-business capital grant

The Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program is open to very small businesses with fewer than 10 employees, and are owned by underrepresented groups including people of color, women, veterans and more. Qualified entities can apply for grants from $10,000 to $245,000.

The program is designed to help small businesses strengthen their operations, overcome financial challenges, and continue contributing to both their communities and Illinois’ economy through capital and infrastructure investments. Capital resources can be used for eligible projects including planning, land and building acquisition, buildings, additions, or structures, site improvements, rolling stock, and durable equipment.

Applications will be accepted through 5 p.m. Monday, April 7. Click here to learn more and apply.

McHenry County offers cutting-edge career and technical ed training

Nearly two-thirds of US jobs require post-secondary education, but not necessarily a four-year degree, according to the National Skills Coalition. CTE careers are wide-ranging, including manufacturing, energy, agribusiness, transportation, health care, and much more.

We’re going to take this opportunity to showcase two of McHenry County‘s partners when it comes to CTE training.

McHenry County College offers courses toward associate degrees in three dozen CTE fields; you can check it out by clicking here. Also, the McHenry County Workforce Network offers a host of great, and free, help for employees and businesses looking to increase their skill sets – you can learn more about it by clicking here.

MCEDC completes relocation to MCC main campus

The MCEDC has officially completed its relocation to the main campus of McHenry County College, next to the Illinois Small Business Development Center, which is also maintaining its existing location at the MCC Catalyst Campus in Woodstock. This will put two of our premier organizations dedicated to growing our economic base together, making it easier to pool their resources and work together.

And as we said when we first reported about this move in December, the MCEDC gets the added bonus of easily being able to show off MCC’s new Foglia Center and all its other job training and trades programs.

The MCEDC is a public/private partnership that collaborates with industry, government and the community to foster relationships and build networks and partnerships. The ISBDC offers numerous services to local business, such as free one-on-one advising, assistance with business plan development, workshops, and more.

Explore with your little readers through the Library Lovers Expedition

You have until the end of March to visit 15 participating area libraries – you can register to participate at any of them, and you don’t need a library card. They’ll hand you a map and a “brag tag,” and you can start visiting libraries to complete fun challenges. At last count, there are more than 1,700 readers registered!

You’ll be entered to win a gift basket if you visit at least 12 of the libraries – you’ll be eligible to win the Grand Prize basket if you hit all 15.

To see a complete list of participating libraries (as well as their colorful tags), click here, and visit the expedition’s Facebook page.

If you like what you see, you can help us reach more McHenry County residents and businesses by sharing it!

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What is McH Thrive?

McH Thrive is a collaborative initiative being implemented by McHenry County and the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) in partnership with the McHenry County community, including cities and villages, businesses and residents.